How I Got Amex to Remove Late Fees and Finance Charges

Last week, I while checking my online statements and my Amex Platinum Card bill, I realize that I had not sent any online payments to my Blue Cash account.

I quickly looked through my files but could find the March bill. I called Blue Cash immediately (this was late at night) and spoke to a customer service rep. This was how the conversation went.

Mr Credit Card : Hi – this is Mr Credit Card (my real name off course). I was just checking my Amex Platinum Card bill and my online banking account and realize that I have not got my March Bill for my Blue Cash card and I may have missed paying my bill. Can you please check.

Customer Rep : Let me check sir. (After about 20 seconds) Sir, you have not paid your March bill, which is $1066.

Mr Credit Card : I did not get my March bill in the mail and I did not mean to be late on the bill. I will pay the bill right this moment from my online banking account. Could you please waive the late charges and any finance fees?

Customer Rep : Let me see here. Yes, you have a finance charge of $22.16 (or something like that) and a late fee of $35. I’ll waive it for you. Just give me a second. (After a few seconds) Alright Mr Credit Card, I have waived both the late fees and the finance charges. You have been a very good customer and your payment record is great. That will not be a problem.

Mr Credit Card : Thank you very much. Can you please send me a copy of my March Statements just for my records. And also, is this late payment reported to the credit bureaus?

Customer Rep : Sure, I will send you a copy of your March statement. No, we do not report to the credit bureaus unless you are overdue by 60 to 90 days.

Mr Credit Card : Thanks once again.

Customer Rep : (Doing the upsell) Mr Credit Card, before you go, I just wanted to let you know that we have a new offer that allows you to get a $500,000 (or something like that) travel insurance when you use your Blue Cash card to any airline ticket. Would you be interested?

Mr Credit Card : No thank you. I use my Platinum Card for travel. Bye, and have a good day.

Phew! Simple as that. Just ask Amex to remove your finance charges and late fees and it was done. Nice friendly customer rep as well (not the Indian reps you get on some night calls from other credit cards). I guess I get away with this because I have been an American Express cardholder since 1994. I have mostly paid in full on my Gold Card and Blue Cash Card. If you a record of late payments, you may not get away with it. But you can see why I am such a fan of American Express.